Common loon chicks spend a significant part of their first 10-12 days riding on their parents backs. Partly for warmth and partly for protection from predation, as they are vulnerable to pike and snapping turtles. After 10-12 days, they no longer climb up onto their parents back, but will occasionally tuck their head under the parents wing and take a snoose.
This fellow was imaged in northern Michigan near the end of June. It was a late hatch this year, and he is about 10 days old.
D700 600VR with 1.4 f/5.6 1/250s ISO 800 SB800 with beamer for fill. Camera mounted on a pedestal in the bottom of my little boat, The Loonie Too.
Post: selective sharpening, rotation, small crop for composition, cleaned up a few spots in the water
The unusual catch light is caused by me blocking the horizon in one area.
This is awesome! You & the Loonie Too are a deadly combination that is obviously non-threatening to the loons. And your beautiful images prove your technique works! This image conveys a strong emotional moment; all is well and as it should be with this lovely loon family. Great techs, details, composition, all seamlessly work together.
Sweet image! Excellent sharpness and dof, great shooting angle and eye contact. I feel it looks a bit too dark and colours on the cool side. Here is a repost to address these issue. I often hear the argument that this is how the photographer remembers the scene. I am not sure I can relate to such an argument as I don't think any of us has this ability to 'remember' such things. We cannot 'remember' the correct colour temperature nor the amount of light that hits the sensor. Another thing to keep in mind is that when we use a flash outdoors the White Balance function of the camera doesn't necessarily do a great job. I am sure that the day was dark but the use of flash should warm up the colour temperature quite a bit.
Love the details in black and white, the sharpness, the interaction, the low angle and the green in the water. Nice use of flash too. I would go something between the original and re-post with more toward the re-post.
A moment beautifully captured, can almost feel the bond between mother and chick... Think lighting should be between your original and re-post suggestion
Lovely image! The chick on the back of the parent is very pleasing. Sharpness and colors are very nice. Although your posting is very nice I prefer Ofer lighter version.
Something between the OP and Ofer's excellent RP might be best for this obviously wonderful image. The merge of the chick's bill tip with the dark area of the back was bad luck....
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I appreciate the effort for the repost Ofer, and it does look nice a bit brighter. It was a very dark and dreary day, somber, so that is how I processed it.
Artie - yes, wished for no bill merge on the juvi with adults back, but the eye contact was so strong, I went with this one, over about 40 more frames from this particular pose.
I forgot to mention the soft grey fluffiness of the chick!
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Common loon chick: Taking a break from growing up
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